STEVE HARVEY / ONLY IN L.A.

This idea is a real stretch

Ed Colefield of Cypress and several other readers pointed out that the mischievous folks at 99 Cents Only are marketing an alternative for hands-free phone headsets (see accompanying). OK, maybe a thick rubber band looks sort of silly. But do you think the Bluetooth makes your ear look attractive?

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21st century concept

As for the problem of cellphoners who annoy everyone in public places with their loud conversations, Ken Buck of Long Beach has a possible solution (see photo).

Buck, owner of Joe Jost's saloon, has set aside an enclosure for such gabbers to use. He calls it a "Cell Phone Booth." I forgot to ask him what it used to be.

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Unclear on the concept

The slogan of a 7-Eleven store in Santa Clarita didn't really fit in with the gasoline prices below, noted Gordon Glattenberg of that fair city (see photo).

Which reminds me that Steve Gaffen cracked to San Diego Magazine's Tom Blair that the prices are so high that brides are beginning to register at Arco stations.

And Jerry St. James told the magazine that when he went to fill his gas tank, "the attendant offered to dab a tiny bit on my wrist so I could sniff it."

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As for those airline prices...

Govind Deep asked Google Maps for directions from L.A. to Sydney and found a helpful suggestion for those who have qualms about flying (see accompanying).

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Unclear on the concept II

The Claremont Courier said a local man and his wife were arrested for identity theft, fraud and grand theft after allegedly stealing and using credit card numbers from his place of employment -- a Better Business Bureau office.

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misceLAny

For your Stranger-Than-Fiction file, a woman was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving the other day after she plowed through the front window of a convenience store, then got out of her car and tried to buy a six-pack of Budweiser. And when her simple request was refused, the woman shoved the clerk, the Long Beach Press-Telegram said.

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Steve Harvey can be reached at (800) LATIMES, Ext. 77083; by fax at (213) 237-4712; by mail at Metro, L.A. Times, 202 W. 1st St., L.A. 90012; and by e-mail at steve.harvey@latimes.com.